Basketball’s international growth evident at every level

GILBERT – Before the 2018 NBA season, only three players in the history of the league who weren’t American-born had been crowned Most Valuable Player. 

Since 2019, the MVP trophy has gone exclusively to international players, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019, ’20), Nikola Jokić (2021, ’22, ’24), Joel Embiid (2023) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025, ’26) each claiming the award.

It’s a remarkable measure of the sport’s booming popularity across the globe.

Need more evidence? The NBA draft is another indicator of basketball’s expansion across the planet. International players such as Deandre Ayton, Ben Simmons, Victor Wembanyama, Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Zaccharie Risacher were all No. 1 overall draft picks taken between 2013 and 2026. All were born outside the United States.

Athletes who hail from Canada and France are especially notable for their increasing presence on the international basketball scene and through their impact in the NBA.

“It’s kind of flipped,” said Gabriel Sandoval, coach at Sequoia Prep in Mesa. “The international game has kind of held us accountable here in the (U.S.) to play more of that true five-on-five style – more team oriented (and) more about ‘Who I’m making better?’ versus ‘Me first.’

“That’s the way it was meant to be played (and) we can kind of pass that message along to our youth. I think the game will be in better hands.”

Sandoval has experienced the international impact on his own roster, as more and more foreign prospects are coming to America at every level from preps to pros. 

“It means a lot,” said Noah Bol, a 7-foot- 1 South Sudanese center at Sequoia Prep. “We have very deep roots in (our) culture, so coming from a different culture (and) learning American culture is a beautiful thing.”

A number of international players were present at the Dillon Brooks Invitational in October at Inspire Courts in Gilbert. The tournament, which is supported by the Suns forward Dillon Brooks, brought together local and national prep programs, many with elite international prospects.

Forward Paul Osaruyi, who is a five-star recruit at Bella Vista Prep in Phoenix, was eager to represent his Canadian-Nigerian heritage.

“Showing out for the country,” Osaruyi said. “Being one of the next generation Canadian hoopers to show up for the country and just compete at a high level, it means a lot.”

Forward Ahmed Nur, a Bella Vista four-star recruit who is half Somalian, echoed a similar sentiment along with expressing pride for his community in Minnesota where he was raised.

“Just being able to represent my country,” Nur said, “Not just as a basketball player, but as a human being. I feel like that’s helped me on the court representing my country. Just trying to inspire young kids in my community, it’s been great. ”

Suns second-year center Khaman Maluach, who is from South Sudan, said representing his African heritage means giving back to future generations.

“In the NBA, a lot of us come together and run regional camps in Africa so that we give the next generation opportunities just like how they did to us,” Maluach said. 

Bol said that when athletes make it to the NBA from Africa, it creates a sense of pride and sets a standard for future generations of African-born basketball players. Though he is not known to be related to Manute Bol, the NBA legend who died in 2010, the pipeline from South Sudan to America’s basketball courts is well-traveled. 

“They’re setting the stone for us,” Bol said. “They started for us so we can see and have dreams like everybody else. It gave us hope that we can achieve things (that) they did.”

Nur said basketball in the U.S. is different than it is in Somalia, particularly the competitiveness. 

“Back home, I was one of the top guys,” Nur said. “Coming here, it’s a dogfight every night, so (I’m) just trying to get better. 

“That’s why I made the move here, so I (can get) better and just get ready for the next level. That’s what I value.”

Bol marvels at how much he’s learning in the U.S.

“We didn’t have plays,” Bol said. “(There was) small knowledge that we have (in South Sudan). When we came to America, we got all this knowledge, environment and all these resources. It really helped us a lot.”

Along with the pride players feel in representing their nations comes extra motivation.

“It’s major for me,” Nur said. “We haven’t had a lot of athletes. Just me putting my country on a map means the world to me.”

Sandoval said his recruiting process for international players begins and ends with honesty from recruits – and from coaches.

“They’re all really good players,” Sandoval said. “Asking them how much they’re willing to sacrifice and play this kind of basketball. As long as everything is led with honesty.”

A list of international players who attended the Dillon Brooks Invitational, Courtesy of Cronkite News’ Oliver Fell.

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